A 4.1 magnitude earthquake strikes eastern Iran: Details of the Khorasan Razavi tremor
An earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale struck the "Sefed Sang" region of Fariman district in Khorasan Razavi province in eastern Iran today, causing a state of anticipation and caution in the region, amid close monitoring by the competent authorities to detect any possible consequences of this earthquake.
Details of the earthquake and its location
The Seismological Center of the Geophysics Institute at Tehran University explained in an official statement that the earthquake occurred precisely at the specified time, noting that its epicenter was at a depth of 9 kilometers below the Earth's surface. Earthquakes occurring at shallow depths (less than 70 km) are more impactful and more easily felt by the population than deeper earthquakes due to the proximity of the energy released to the surface. However, a magnitude of 4.1 is generally classified as a light to moderate earthquake that may not cause widespread damage.
As of the time of writing this report, no official reports have been received indicating any human or material losses as a result of the earthquake. However, emergency teams in Khorasan Razavi province remain on standby to assess the situation on the ground, especially in the villages and remote areas surrounding the epicenter.
Geological context: Why do earthquakes occur so frequently in Iran?
Iran is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, situated above several major fault lines. This constant seismic activity is due to the country's geographical location above the Alpine-Himalayan seismic belt, a collision zone between the Arabian and Eurasian plates. This ongoing geological stress results in frequent earthquakes ranging from minor to devastating.
Historically, Iran has experienced devastating earthquakes that have caused heavy losses of life and property, which keeps authorities and citizens on constant alert whenever any seismic activity occurs, regardless of its magnitude, for fear that it may be a prelude to larger earthquakes or that it may damage old infrastructure in some areas.
A series of earthquakes
This earthquake is not an isolated event in recent times; last October, seismic observatories recorded another earthquake that struck Fars province in southern Iran, measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale. That quake resulted in minor injuries to three people, and its epicenter was in the city of Sepidan at a depth of 6 kilometers below the surface.
The recurrence of these incidents highlights the critical importance of strengthening earthquake-resistant building standards and developing early warning systems in the region, to reduce potential risks and protect lives in a country that lives constantly on a hot plate of tectonic activity.
